Český Šternberk

Český Šternberk (Böhmisch Sternberg) is a market town in Benešov District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 200 inhabitants. It is known for the Český Šternberk Castle, located on the cliffs above the market town.

Geography
Český Šternberk is located about 17 km east of Benešov and 39 km southeast of Prague. It lies in the Vlašim Uplands. The highest point is a hill at 463 m above sea level. Český Šternberk is situated at a bend of the Sázava River. The Blanice forms the southern municipal border and flows into the Sázava.

History
Český Šternberk Castle was founded around 1241 by Zdeslav of Divišov, later known as Zdeslav of Sternberg. The village was founded shortly after as a sub-castle settlement of the castle. The first written mention of the settlement is from 1242 and in 1654, it was first mentioned as a market town. Along with the castle, the settlement expanded to its present form and in 1901, it became linked by railway, which helped the development of tourism.

Transport
Český Šternberk is located on the railway line of local importance Ledeč nad Sázavou–Čerčany. The market town is served by two stops.

Sights
The main landmark of the market town is the Český Šternberk Castle. It is one of oldest and most valuable aristocratic residences in the country, protected as a national cultural monument. Today it is open to the public and offers guided tours.

Notable people

 * Zdeněk Sternberg (1923–2021), count and owner of the castle; died here